I believe Paris and the rest of France have a special appeal. I became fascinated with French literature at a very young age. Balzac provided my introduction to the genre, and as for Victor Hugo - I've read all of his novels.
In fact, I first applied to become a French major and was sorely disappointed when my school's English department snapped me up instead.
I eventually took French as a second foreign language, and I can't remember how many times I've been to Paris over the years. I'm familiar with every corner and fold of the city, and much of France's scenic countryside.
One of my greatest dreams is to visit Paris with my wife. She's also been there on numerous occasions but never at the same time as me.
So I have an understanding of the city, the country, the culture and people. And that's why I'm concerned about the Olympic flame's stopover in Paris.
The Olympic relay's mission, to which we are committed, is promoting the ideals of peace and unity throughout the world by putting aside differences in the name of hope and solidarity.
Mutual understanding and respect is particularly crucial in the context of intensifying globalization.
But the Olympic spirit was hijacked by the actions of protestors in London and Paris over the past few days. Local media hype worsened the situation.
What impact would such focused media reports on particular subjects of interest in these countries, geographically afar from of our own, have?
I'm worried the consequences - public sentiment created by media portrayals of "that one side of the story" - won't be helpful. The question then becomes: Will this sow seeds of hatred?
It's easier to hurt than to heal, and it takes far less time.
The torch relay should bring people together, not tear them apart. Mankind must deal with issues of urgency and common interest as one, not in isolation. That's what "one world, one dream" is all about.
Torchbearers in Paris were escorted - surrounded, really - by hundreds of riot police and dozens of security cars and motorcycles. Such a police presence is unprecedented - and sadly, necessary - in this relay leg. But political protests and biased media reports have continued. What type of message are the protestors and media trying to send to the Chinese?
*Qu Yingpu, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, is spokesman for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay
